Ray Carter Lake Dam dam
Ray Carter Lake Dam
Ray Carter Lake Dam, also known as Carter Lake, is a privately owned structure located in Edmonson County, Kentucky. Completed in 1965, this earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet and spans a length of 625 feet. Its primary purpose is for recreation, providing a surface area of 3.5 acres and a storage capacity of 23 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water and has been inspected regularly, with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Situated along U.T. to Sunfish Creek, Ray Carter Lake Dam offers a tranquil setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy outdoor activities. While the dam is not owned or funded by any federal agency, it is subject to state regulations and inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and lack of outlet gates contribute to its low hazard potential, while its condition assessment remains unrated as of the last inspection in 2005.
With its picturesque location in the heart of Kentucky, Ray Carter Lake Dam provides a haven for recreational pursuits amidst a natural landscape. While the dam's risk assessment is moderate, the lack of emergency action plans and inundation maps raises some concerns for potential emergencies. Overall, this privately owned dam serves as a vital resource for the community, offering both leisure and environmental benefits to those who appreciate its beauty and functionality.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Ray Carter Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Caney Creek Near Horse Branch | 1 cfs | → |
| Bacon Creek Near Priceville | 13 cfs | → |
| Barren River At Bowling Green | 143 cfs | → |
| Nolin River At White Mills | 76 cfs | → |
| Green River At Munfordville | 271 cfs | → |
| Drakes Creek Near Alvaton | 96 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ray Carter Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Nolin Dam Road Edmonson County
- Conoloway Court Grayson County
- Mouth Of Bear Creek Road 2705, Edmonson County
- Houchins Ferry Road Brownsville
- Warren County
- Lakeview Circle Grayson County
Track Ray Carter Lake Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Ray Carter Lake Dam
Where does the data for Ray Carter Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Ray Carter Lake Dam.